World

Turkey’s Koç Holding builds fridge plant in Thailand

Arçelik company under the leading Turkish Conglomerate Ko ç Holding has broken ground for the construction of a refrigerator manufacturing plant in Thailand which is scheduled to operate by the end of 2015, the firm said on January 7.
Arçelik company under the leading Turkish Conglomerate Ko ç Holdinghas broken ground for the construction of a refrigerator manufacturingplant in Thailand which is scheduled to operate by the end of 2015, thefirm said on January 7.

Arçelik said the plant, built at atotal cost of around 100 million USD, is expected to generate revenuesof 500 million USD from selling more than 800,000 refrigerators in ASEANwithin the first three years after completion.

The new plantin Thailand has great potential to become a production hub in the regionunder the brand name of Beko, said Koç Holding Chairman Mustafa V.Koç during the groundbreaking ceremony.

He added that with thisbrand name, Koç Holding has achieved large market shares in the leadingcompetitive markets in Europe, including Germany, France and theUK.

Meanwhile Arçelik General Manager Levent Çakıroğluhighlighted that Beko brand has been sold in over 100 countries andbecome the home application brand recording the highest growth over thepast six months, adding that it is the second largest brand inEurope.

Levent Çakıroğlu expected that Thailand will help Bekobrand write another successful story in ASEAN as it has done in Europe.

Arçelik company plans to exports 90 percent of thetotal output manufactured in Thailand to neibouring countries includingthe Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore, and Australia.-VNA
Follow VietnamPlus

See more

US President Donald Trump signs reciprocal tariff executive orders at the White House on April 2, 2025 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Thailand to negotiate with US on tariffs

Thailand is on the list of 15 countries that could be affected by Trump’s tariff policy. The average US tariff on Thai imports is 2% while Thailand levies an average tariff of 8% on US products

More than two-thirds of the respondents in the AmCham survey flag potential reciprocal tariffs on countries taxing US imports as the biggest concern for their business. (Photo: The Straits Times)

New US tariffs may hurt Singapore companies: survey

A flash survey by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Singapore showed that more than two-thirds of the 36 respondents polled flagged potential reciprocal tariffs on countries that tax US imports as the biggest concern for their business – compared to existing trade measures.

US President Donald Trump announces new reciprocal tariffs at the White House on April 2. (Photo: Reuters/VNA)

US tariffs putting pressure on both US and ASEAN

The most immediate impact of Trump’s tariffs will be inflation, both in the US and worldwide. As import costs rise, businesses will pass these costs onto consumers, driving up prices, said Professor Phar Kim Beng of ASEAN Studies at the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM).

Two foreign tourists buy curry puffs at the popular Khun Phu shop in the Talat Noi community in Bangkok on Monday. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Thailand revises tourism strategy after earthquake

Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong said that a tourism risk and crisis management team will be established to support the industry, with representatives from organisations in the tourism supply chain, such as the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Roads Authority.

General Khamtay Siphandone, former President of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, former President of Laos and senior revolutionary of the LPRP. (Source: VNA)

Former Lao President Khamtay Siphanone passes away

General Khamtay Siphandone, former President of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, former President of Laos and senior revolutionary of the LPRP, passed away at 10:30am on April 2 at the age of 102.

Rescue teams search for victims after the earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 31, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Myanmar earthquake: Relief efforts face major challenges

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake has caused widespread destruction in central Myanmar, displacing tens of thousands. The situation has been further complicated by ongoing conflicts, particularly in the Sagaing region, making it extremely difficult to deliver aid to affected areas.

At the explosion site (Photo: Facebook/Anwar Ibrahim)

Malaysia investigates gas pipeline explosion

The incident destroyed 78 houses and 10 shop lots, while also damaging 237 other houses and numerous vehicles. An estimated 364 people were affected, including 63 injured.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra listens to a briefing by a team of Israeli rescuers who are part of an international contingent working at the collapsed building site in Bangkok. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Thailand works to restore global trust after Myanmar quake

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra underscored Thailand's commitment to restoring its image and ensuring public confidence, noting that a thorough investigation into the project's approval, design and construction materials is underway.

Thailand speeds up investigation into Bangkok building collapse

Thailand speeds up investigation into Bangkok building collapse

The SAO building, valued at 2.1 billion THB (61.4 million USD), had been under construction for approximately five years and was nearing completion. It was the only building in Bangkok to collapse as a result of the powerful earthquake in Myanmar.

Delegates at the event (Photo: kpl.gov.la)

Laos aims for sustainable infrastructure development

Laos' Enabling Environment Roadmap for Infrastructure Asset Management (IAM EE) outlines strategies for the effective management of public infrastructure, including roads, schools, and hospitals, with a focus on resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability.